Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 14 of 279 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
51 crash reports16 fire reports34 injury reports
What owners actually said
279 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 1997
Fuel System, GasolineSeatsCrashInjury
DRIVING 35MPH WHEN VEHICLE WAS REARENDED & SLAMMED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS FROM EITHER BEING REARENDED OR REARENDING OTHER VEHICLE. OWNER DOES NOT REMEMBER DUE TO BEING UNCONSCIENCE AT THE TIME. AIR BAG DID DEPLOY & SEAT BELT HELD. ENGINE STILL RUNNING & FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH FAILED. DRIVER AWOKE …
Read full complaint
DRIVING 35MPH WHEN VEHICLE WAS REARENDED & SLAMMED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS FROM EITHER BEING REARENDED OR REARENDING OTHER VEHICLE. OWNER DOES NOT REMEMBER DUE TO BEING UNCONSCIENCE AT THE TIME. AIR BAG DID DEPLOY & SEAT BELT HELD. ENGINE STILL RUNNING & FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH FAILED. DRIVER AWOKE & CUT IGNITION OFF. *AK *SLC
DURING REAR END COLLISION, THE SEAT BELT BRACKET WHICH SLIDES ALONG MOTORIZED TRACK, ABOVE DRIVER'S LEFT WINDOW, CAME TOWARDS DRIVER, CUT EYE OF DRIVER UPON IMPACT DUE TO LOCATION AND POSITIONING OF BRACKET/CLIP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #812086
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 1997
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN EXCELERATION, CAUSE NOT YET DETERMINED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #811698
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 1997
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE DASH BROAD AREAS WERE BURNED. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN ABOUT (4) HOURS. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #811677
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 1997
Seat Belts
THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS GET STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. DEALER CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH BELTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #810735
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 1997
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
THE LATCH ON TRUNK STICKS.
NHTSA ODI #516103
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING SMELLED FUEL AND THE GAS WAS LEAKING FROM BEHIND METAL PLATE FROM THE GAS TANK. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND IT'S STILL IS THERE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #809713
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 1997
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, UNDER THE HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE BROKE OUT. *AK
THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE WELD SEAM CAN SEPARATE, CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO FAIL TO DEPLOY PROPERLY AND HOT GASES TO BE EXPELLED FROM THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY FROM THE HOT GASES AND THE AIR BAG FAILURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1994 Ford Escort Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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